After hearing comments from dozens of animated residents in favor of a higher minimum wage, Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said the village would not take a vote on a short-term opt-out of the Cook County minimum wage ordinance Friday night.

The village had called the special meeting for 5 p.m. to discuss an 11-day opt-out of the Cook County minimum wage increase and paid sick leave ordinances, which were due to take effect the following day.

"There is enough blame to be had by many of us as to why we're having this meeting today and why it didn't happen [earlier]," Abu-Taleb said. "We thought it was important to have all the stakeholders at the table. I have decided not to take a vote tonight. We will not take a vote and we will not go through this distraction in our community anymore."

Individual towns in Cook County could have opted out of the increase, which raises the minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour and takes effect July 1. The county measure also increases the minimum wage another dollar each of the next three years.

Nearly all of the public speakers urged the board not to call a vote on the short-term opt-out.

"I feel you have put us in a senseless duel," said the Rev. CJ Hawking of Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church. "You have us in a senseless duel seven hours ahead of an [increased] minimum wage and paid sick days. Get us out of this duel and don't call the vote."

Steve Schering / Pioneer Press

Protesters line Madison Street in support of an increased minimum wage prior to the Oak Park village board meeting June 30.

Protesters line Madison Street in support of an increased minimum wage prior to the Oak Park village board meeting June 30.

(Steve Schering / Pioneer Press)

Prior to the meeting, dozens gathered outside Village Hall on Madison Street to wave signs in front of passing motorists.

"We just fought for this in Berwyn and heard Oak Park might have a delay," Berwyn resident Kate Zeitvogel said. "That's unfair. I understand they want to have a conversation and we're open to one, but we've had eight months to have one. To try to do a last-minute delay to have a conversation is ridiculous."

The village board meeting was called to discuss a short-term opt-out of the county ordinances until July 11. Had the short-term opt-out been approved, the village board would have discussed the matter at its regularly scheduled July 10 meeting.

"It's about fairness," Oak Park resident Patrick Sullivan said. "People at the bottom have been pushed down for too long."

Oak Park had initially planned to discuss the matter June 19, but Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said it "didn't have the votes," and the item wasn't added to the agenda. Several trustees said it was a mistake to not have the discussion at that time.

Jason Girard protests in the middle of Madison Street for an increased minimum wage June 30 outside the Oak Park Village Hall.

Jason Girard protests in the middle of Madison Street for an increased minimum wage June 30 outside the Oak Park Village Hall.

(Steve Schering / Pioneer Press)

When the agenda item wasn't added June 19, it appeared to many the village would not opt out of the county ordinances, which made the posting of the Friday meeting questionable in their minds. Trustees

Along with Mayor Abu-Taleb, trustees Deno J. Andrews, Simone Boutet and James Taglia attended the meeting in person. Trustee Dan Moroney called in to the meeting by phone and trustees Andrea Button and Bob Tucker were absent.

"At the last minute they make the call to have this meeting," Oak Park resident Pauline Coffman said. "We think they've had plenty of time to study it."

Some in the business community spoke for accepting the county ordinances, while others hoped to further study how it would impact small businesses.

"I believe in competitive pay and wages," said Michelle Vanderlaan, owner of Sugarcup Trading. "We want a thriving Oak Park. This issue is very complicated and it affects a lot of people. We were taken out of the dialogue when this agenda item was removed [June 19]."

Cathy Yen of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce said some businesses in the village are prepared for the July 1 increase, while others might need assistance in the future.

"There are some business owners, many of whom have spoken tonight, who are ready for tomorrow," Yen said. "Some are going to need some more help. We have been brainstorming ways for months to try to respect the workers and keep their businesses afloat."

Steve Schering / Pioneer Press

Oak Park resident Patrick Sullivan shows his support for increasing the minimum wage prior to the June 30 village board meeting.

Oak Park resident Patrick Sullivan shows his support for increasing the minimum wage prior to the June 30 village board meeting.

(Steve Schering / Pioneer Press)

Trustee Andrews, who owns Felony Franks on North Avenue, said the issue has been divisive for Oak Park, and was discouraged by the tone of the arguments.

Regarding his own restaurant, Andrews said he has paid his workers more than the current minimum wage, and pledged to keep his wages above the new minimum, while also asking those in the audience to continue assisting the village's local businesses.

"We are at risk because of this, but it's worth taking," Andrews said. "The small business community is going to need your help. I don't mean just talking about it, I mean doing it."